THE COUPLE Selma and Jon met in college during their freshman year. Selma reached out to Jon for a bit of math tutoring, little did she know she would be gaining much more than a good grade. The pair built their friendship for eight years until they started dating. Three years after their first date, the couple was visiting southern Utah’s San Rafael river where they paddle boarded with friends. Somewhere between navigating18 miles of calm waters and enjoying the desert sun, Jon proposed to Selma.
THE WEDDING
The couple chose to tie the knot at the Alta Peruvian Lodge which allowed them to take much creative freedom in their ceremony and reception. “We both love skiing in Little Cottonwood Canyon,” says Selma, whose outdoor lifestyle led her to choose the rustic venue.
Instead of settling on a specific wedding theme, the couple went a less traditional route. “We are very environmentally conscious so everything was biodegradable or reusable,” says Selma. To tie their rustic decor together, the bride wanted jewel tones throughout flower arrangments and reception spaces. To elevate their outdoor aisle, a ruby bohemian rug was placed on the lawn.
THE MENU
As a must-have on their wedding menu? “Bosnian food!” Family friends cooked lamb earlier in the day and brought several desserts made by the Bosnian community. The couple also brought on Angela’s catering to provide a Mediterranean-style menu, complete with rice pillaf, fresh salad, chicken and salmon.
THE RECEPTION
After the ceremony, the wedding party gathered in the venue’s lodge area for a night of dancing and celebration. Selma and Jon had their first dance to “Love You Madly” by Cake. And afterward, the group partied the night away to “traditional and contemporary Bosnian music, which kept the energy very high!”
“I’m a control freak,” admits Allison Baddley of La Fête Floral & Events. As such, Baddley limits her client roster to just 10 events per year, ensuring she has the bandwidth to imbue each with an inimitable sense of style, from beginning to end. Case in point: this lovely wedding and reception at the 122-year-old Salt Lake Country Club. By combining clean lines, a classic color palette, and subtle and sophisticated European-influences, Baddley staged an event that highlighted the venue’s Spanish Mission-style architecture in a way that felt unmistakably modern and youthful.
CLASSIC COLOR
While many couples with traditional style are drawn to the lasting simplicity of all-white floral and décor for their wedding and reception, Baddley encourages using accent colors for character and depth. While white certainly played a starring role at this Salt Lake Country Club wedding, soft robin’s egg blue gave the scene a classic and more youthful panache. Deep-green potted boxwood centerpieces and bay leaf, ruscus and myrtle garlands not only contributed contrast but imparted the setting with stylish English-garden appeal.
SINGLE-SPECIES IMPACT
Baddley filled clear glass vessels of varying heights with single-species flowers to create a clean, contemporary impact on the bridal party’s long king’s table. She used tall, cylindrical vases of white delphiniums to create dramatic height while clusters of white roses and ranunculus added abundance closer to the tabletop. Finally, bunches of hydrangeas and grape hyacinth provided pops of the event’s signature blue. Classic gold bamboo dining chairs balanced the clean tablescape while also nodding to the country club’s gold-hued exterior and traditional ambience.
HIGH FLYERS
“I love hanging things from overhead to bring the eye up,” Baddley says. For this event, she created table-to-ceiling drama over the bridal party’s king’s table with a trio of banners displaying the newlyweds’ monogram. Strips of blue silk taffeta, greenery garlands and white twinkle lights heightened the ceiling décor’s celebratory air.
A REASON TO MINGLE
Along with wedding cake, this event’s dessert course included gelato, which Baddley explains served multiple purposes. “It played into the décor’s subtle European vibe,” and, she says, “since this wedding was held in mid-August, it gave guests something cool to eat. I also like to include something interactive with every event I plan. It helps draw guests through a space and encourages them to mingle with others that are not seated with them at their table.”
THE DETAILS
PLANNER & FLORIST: La Fête Floral & Events PHOTOGRAPHY: Heather Nan VENUE: Salt Lake Country Club BRIDAL GOWN: Leanne Marshall , Alta Moda Bridal BRIDE’S SHOES: Gucci GROOM’S SUIT: Ralph Lauren HAIR & MAKEUP Lesley Lind Makeup Atelier GELATO BAR: Bon Bon STATIONERY SUITE & RECEPTION BANNER: Sophie Baddley WEDDING CAKE: Flour & Flourish DINING CHAIRS: All Out Event Rental LINENS: Diamond Event & Tent FLORAL SPECIES USED: bay leaves, ruscus and myrtle garlands; white and blue Agapanthus; tuberose; silver allium; white, black center anemone; button white chamomile; white cosmos; light blue and hybrid white delphinium; white Gomphrena; white and grape hyacinth; light blue hydrangea; white lily of the valley; white Lisianthus; ranunculus; White Cloud and Playa Blanca roses; white snapdragons; double white and frilly edge tulips; and white Astilbe.
From north to south, Utah is bursting with breathtaking topography, making it one of the most popular states in the U.S. for destination weddings (even for those who live here.) To celebrate the unique beauty of the beehive state, we are featuring a four-part series poignantly named ‘On Location’. Here, we will share everything you need to know about getting hitched in Utah’s stunning desert landscapes.
Warm weather, serenity and boho-chic vibes have catapulted southern Utah’s stunning desert wilderness to the top of many couples’ wedding locale lists. Much like mountain weddings, hosting a wedding weekend in the desert provides a ton of things for your guests to do outside of the actual ceremony and reception.
Choosing a Venue
Desert weddings in Utah can range from traditional golf course clubhouse affairs to modern retreats where the surreal landscape takes center stage. Consummate comfort meets a modern and luxurious aesthetic atCamp Sarika by Amangiri near the Arizona border in Big Water. Couples with a passion for hitting the links will appreciate the traditional elegance and ease of planning at Entrada at Snow Canyon Country Club andThe Ledges, both located just outside of St. George. Everyone on your guest list will love the laundry list of fun, adventurous and familial things to do at Moab’s Sorrel River Ranch; the Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch, tucked into the undulated Entrada stone desert just outside of Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument; or the Zion National Park Lodge, Utah’s stately and first national park lodge. UnderCanvas operates four Utah desert glamping camps, available for complete book out, for a wedding your guests won’t soon forget.
If you’re getting married in the desert, you’ll likely want to have an outdoor affair in the spring (March, April, May) or fall (October and November) when temps are in the upper 60s to low 80s during the day and rain is rare. Unless you choose a higher elevation desert venue, like the Boulder Mountain Lodge, avoid an outdoor desert wedding in June, July or August when temps can well exceed 100 degrees. December and January, however, when visitation is at its lowest and snow provides an occasional juxtaposition to red rock and blue skies, can be a beautiful and more affordable time to host a desert wedding.
The Elements
Protecting themselves from the sun and staying hydrated are the biggest environmental factors your guests will contend with in southern Utah. If possible, shade your ceremony venue’s seating area or keep the exchanging of vows short. Lip balm, sunscreen and a personalized, reusable water bottle are essential guest welcome-bag contents, along with a note to remind everyone to drink more water than they think they need.
Outside of Moab and St. George, lodging options in southern Utah are limited. Combine that with exploding national park visitation, hotel rooms and short-term rentals can be pricier and more difficult to come by during the prime spring and fall visitation months. Reserve a lodging block for your guests at the same time you book your venue to ensure everyone lands a place to stay near your wedding and reception site.
Know Before You Go:
If you’re considering getting married in one of southern Utah’s national parks (Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon or Capitol Reef) please note that the National Park Service requires a Special Use Permit for all events that takes four-weeks, minimum, to process. Refer to each park’s website for details.
This story is part of our ongoing series, On Location, read more here!
There are hundreds of little micro-adjustments and details that we can make in the tailoring process that go a long way in making a suit complement your body rather than just cover it,” says Trapper Roderick, president of the Lehi-based True Gentleman Custom Suits. To get a suit you’ll want to wear years after the wedding reception ends, come to your custom suit fitting armed with the following:
KNOW YOUR BUDGET
Custom suits start at about $600, but the average cost ranges from $1,000 to $2,000. For the latter amount, you can expect to get a high-quality suit that you’ll love and will be more likely to wear many times after your wedding day.
Photo courtesy of True Gentleman Custom Suits
ASSEMBLE THE DECISION MAKERS
If you know your fiancé has an opinion about color, fit and style, by all means, bring them along to your initial fitting. Doing so will save time and money for everyone involved.
CONSIDER COLOR
Well-fitting and high-quality suits in black, dark blue or gray are easy to buy off the rack. And so it makes more sense, when going the custom route, to explore unique prints or colors like a pinstripe, plaid or beautiful red, green or royal blue. Distinctive suits better express your personality while remaining classic and wearable over the long-term.
Photo courtesy of True Gentleman Custom Suits
WOOL IS SEASONLESS
It may seem counter intuitive, but nothing breathes as well—and is therefore as cool and comfortable—as wool. Desirable variations on pure-wool fabrics include very light wool-linen blends and wool-lycra blends that offer a little stretch.
BE AWARE OF TIMELINES
Plan on an hour for the initial consultation, measurements and fabric selection followed by six to seven weeks for the suit to be made. Once production is complete, you’ll need to allocate 30 minutes or so for a fitting and then a couple of days for those final adjustments to be completed.
In the heart of Sandy, a venue with 25 years of event history gets a new identity this wedding season. Twenty & Creek makes its debut with owner Megan Bonham, proprietor of what was formerly Heritage Gardens. Bonham has assembled a world-class team of designers, architects, landscapers and construction professionals to turn this beloved facility into a premier modern venue, designed with leading trends in mind.
“Each room in our new venue has been thoughtfully reimagined to be the perfect canvas for any style of wedding,” Bonham says. The architects have added windows to let in Utah’s luminous natural light, expanded the bridal suite for a luxurious pre-wedding experience and curated a perfectly stylish groom’s room for the guys.
The Grand Hall is the largest gathering area in the venue, with ample space for 250 seated guests and up to 400 for a flowing reception. No detail went unnoticed in the revamp of this space, featuring architectural flair by Anson Fillerup Design, and jaw-droppingly beautiful details by The Fox Group that adorn every surface. New sliding doors open to the outdoor gardens, allowing your party to enjoy both the stunning venue and the lush gardens, while also providing space for an additional 100 guests.
Joining forces with some of the top design talents in the state—including The Grand America’s botanical curator Emily Wayment and the expert craftsmen at Ferran Construction—Twenty & Creek is the embodiment of custom, curated design and is poised to provide an unrivaled experience for your big day. Now booking for the 2022 season!
“Even the pre-wedding season tours we’ve given have been amazing experiences so far,” Bonham says. “We cannot wait to see this space come to life with the memories and love that will grow here!” —Megan Bonham, Owner and Proprietor
Owner and Proprietor Megan Bonham.
Ask the Expert
WHAT’S AHEAD
Twenty & Creek is opening for events in June of 2022, but we are pre-booking now. Dates are filling up quickly, so email us at info@twentyandcreek.com or submit an inquiry form on our website for details on how to book the newest venue in the state.
EXCITED ABOUT
We are so looking forward to showing off the incredible talent that our state’s wedding and design industry has to offer. With every new addition to our space, we are blown away with the vision this team was able to put together. We can’t wait to share this world-class venue with you!
FRESH IDEAS
The best advice we can give any couple is to be present and enjoy your day. Those are the moments you’ll remember: the joyful ones, not the moments of stress making the day perfect. Let our events team handle the venue details, so you can focus on making lasting memories.
2050 East Creek Road, Sandy | 801-618-7142
For more of our beautiful venue suggestions, click here.
For the brides trying to push fashion standards, here are some fashion-forward bridal jumpsuits that you can wear dancing at your reception or walking down the aisle.
BRIDAL JUMPSUITS FOR THE FASHIONISTA BRIDE
For the understated yet chic bride who wants to make a statement and keep it classy, here are a few bridal jumpsuits that combine traditional cuts with dramatic details. Each silhouette maintains simplistic charm by accenting a fitted frame with a touch of flair, whether that be an attachable sweeping skirt, draping overlay, hand-embroidered sequins, or a dramatic bow.
This set offers a two-in-one look with a classic tailored square-cut neckline and an attachable sweeping skirt, perfect for a bride who wants to switch up looks mid-wedding day.
Layered Strapless Crepe Jumpsuit, Safiyaa. Photo courtesy of net-a-porter.
This clean-cut bodice with smooth ivory draping is sure to flatter any body type. It features a sweetheart neckline with a boned bodice for structure and support for every bust size. The bold draping over one leg adds just enough drama to turn heads, both on and off the wedding aisle.
Hailey White Jumpsuit, Nadine Merabi. Photo courtesy of Nadine Merabi.
Beauty is definitely in the details with this hand-embroidered sequined jumpsuit. The figure-hugging shape creates a flattering modern look with a beautiful shimmer effect that will make you sparkle.
Margaret Silk Faille Jumpsuit, Alexia Maria. Photo courtesy of Alexia Maria.
Go big or go home is definitely a motto to stick to on your wedding day. This look takes a chic cigarette-style trouser and ties it together with a big beautiful silk bow. Perfect for the bride that wants to take a simple look and add a dramatic touch.
BRIDAL JUMPSUITS FOR THE MODEST BRIDE
For the brides looking for a little more coverage on their wedding day but still want to look beautiful and sophisticated, here are some looks that the modest bride is sure to love. Of course, modesty comes in different forms for every bride, but you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort, especially on your big day.
Sachin & Babi Connie Jumpsuit, BHLDN. Photo courtesy of Anthropologie.
This Sachin & Babi Connie Jumpsuit features thick straps with a plunging neckline to create the perfect combination of sophisticated and sexy. Its high waisted belt and breezy wide-leg pants create a comfortable and sleek look that will make you feel covered up yet elegant.
The beautifully detailed beads on this jumpsuit add the perfect touch to its modest shape. The cap-sleeves offer the coverage you might want, paired with a flattering v-neckline.
Boho Wedding Pant and Corset Jacket, VanillaWFG.. Photo courtesy of Etsy.
This classy corset-style jumpsuit combined with the sheer long sleeve top is the perfect way to have your cake and eat it too. The sheer fabric allows you to accent this strapless style top while still feeling covered up.
Enamored With You White Lace Wide-Leg Jumpsuit, Lulus. Photo courtesy of Lulus.
This jumpsuit is perfect for the boho bride with its lace and scalloped eyelash lace trim. The all-over lace atop a light nude lining creates a charming detailed touch for this simple silhouette. Again, pairing the thick straps with the v-neckline never fails to create a beautiful yet covered style.
BRIDAL JUMPSUITS FOR THE DARING BRIDE
As if choosing to wear a jumpsuit to your wedding isn’t daring enough, here are some bridal jumpsuits that are sure to push fashion boundaries and make the aisle feel like a red carpet. From beads, lace, and crystals, these brides love their daring details.
Altar Ego Jumpsuit, Anne Barge. Photo courtesy of Anne Barge.
This beautifully fit wide-leg jumpsuit is just the right amount of simple and flashy to make a statement. The plunging neckline and sheer bodice, accented with hand-embroidered pearls and crystals, is sure to steal the show.
The Ohanna Jumpsuit, Enzoani. Photo courtesy of Enzoani.
This intricately detailed sweetheart bodice, covered with west indie beading that trickles down the hips of the trousers, is perfect for a glamorous bride. The heavily beaded top combined with the sleek crepe trouser is exactly what you need to feel like your wedding is a runway.
Lola Blanc Feather Jumpsuit, Bronx and Banco. Photo courtesy of Revolve.
Nothing adds drama like feathers. The Lola Blanc Feather Jumpsuit with a fully feathered top adds just the dramatic impact a bride needs on her wedding day. It is perfect for a classic bride who wants to add a little excitement to their look.
The Allie Jumpsuit, Eva Lendel. Photo courtesy of Eva Lendel.
The Allie Jumpsuit lacks no flashy details with its decorated lace pattern top and puff sleeves. This jumpsuit will highlight any bride’s figure with wide-leg trousers that meet the top with a high waistband.
Patsy Jumpsuit, Rime Arodaky. Photo courtesy of Rime Arodaky.
The Patsy Jumpsuit combines fun and flirty with elegance and chic. The Italian lace and overlay skirt add a dramatic touch to the cigarette-style trousers.
BRIDAL JUMPSUITS FOR THE BRIDE THAT MEANS BUSINESS
For the bride who wants to take her wedding day fit from the aisle to the office. Whether you’re eloping at the courthouse or trying to achieve a sophisticated look at your wedding, here are some professional wedding pieces for your big day and your everyday.
The Napoli Jumpsuit, Eva Lendel. Photo courtesy of Alta Moda Bridal.
The decorated lace of the Napoli jumpsuit offers a pop of texture to this polished wedding look. The straight-cut ankle-length trousers meet the top with a high waistband to complete the perfect business-meets-bridal piece.
Margot White Pants and Blazer, Nadine Merabi. Photo courtesy of Nadine Merabi.
A two-piece pantsuit screams business, but add some feathers, and you’ve got a fun party outfit that will really make a statement on your big day. The best part about two pieces is that you get a three-for-one. After your wedding, these pieces can easily transition into wardrobe separates.
The Brooklyn Jumpsuit, Eva Lendel. Photo courtesy of Alta Moda Bridal.
This 70s-style pantsuit is the best mix of business on the bottom and party on the top. The sophisticated wide leg trouser paired with the sparkly sequin top is a match made to hit the dance floor.
Alima Jumpsuit, Ines Di Santo. Photo courtesy of Ines Di Santo.
The Alima pantsuit brings elegance to a new level with this sophisticated satin set. The satin material and draping details make for an effortlessly sleek look that can easily be worn on and off the aisle.
In locales like India and Italy, multiday weddings have been the norm for generations. But here in the U.S., extending nuptial celebrations beyond the actual wedding day has caught on just within the last several years. The pandemic’s curtailing of gatherings is one reason for this trend, so for many, this year may be the first time in two years or longer they will finally feel comfortable traveling or attending a large gathering. Another reason many are embracing days-long celebrations is that the six or so hours that span Promost wedding ceremonies and receptions is simply not long enough for couples to connect with each one of their guests. Hosting a two-, three- or even five-day celebration also allows extended members of the couple’s families to really get to know and enjoy one another.
The key to a meaningful multiday wedding, however, is providing your guests with fun and accessible things to do. Following is a roundup of distinctly Utah activities that will make your extended wedding celebration one your guests will talk about fondly for years to come.
PEDALING THE WORLD’S BEST TRAILS
Park City boasts one of the best mountain bike networks on the planet. Let a guide with Jans Mountain Outfitters show you and your gal or guy pals the highlights on a guided mountain biking tour, tailorable for beginner to expert riders. Jans even offers guided night rides.
CASTING A BLUE-RIBBON WATERWAY
The Provo River boasts one of the West’s premier trout fisheries and runs through some of the most scenic landscapes in Utah. Hire a guide from Fish Heads Fly Shop in Heber City for a half or full day to show you and your group Provo’s most productive eddies.
BOOTING IT THROUGH THE WASATCH
Within spitting distance of downtown Salt Lake City are the Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, both riddled with trails replete with alpine meadows, high-altitude lakes and craggy peaks. A few of the most easily navigable and most rewarding are routes to Red Pine Lake and Cecret Lake in Little Cottonwood Canyon and Lake Blanche and Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. fishheadflyshop.com
Discover more wedding weekend activities fun for the whole family here!
Julia & Connor Snowpine Lodge, Alta Ski Area, August 21 Photography by Camilla Binks
THE COUPLE Though Connor and Julia grew up just three miles from one another in South Jordan, it wasn’t until high school that they met. Sort of. One evening while working her high school job at Cold Stone Creamery, Julia’s co-worker and friend encouraged her to send Connor a Facebook friend invitation. Connor accepted and the two messaged back and forth on Facebook and via text for what turned into several years. Connor finally worked up the courage to ask Julia out seven years after Julia sent her initial friend request. The day of their first date, Connor sent Julia flowers with a note that read, “7 years later…see you at 8.” That evening “we just clicked,” Julia says. “He was everything I was looking for in a partner.”
THE PROPOSAL Connor likewise fell hard for Julia within days of their first date, and after they’d been together just six months, purchased an engagement ring for her. “My gut told me I was going to marry her, and I wasn’t nervous about it at all,” he says. With the help of Julia’s parents, Connor lured Julia to the airport where, on the one-year anniversary of their first date, he asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. After she said yes, the two left for another surprise Connor had arranged—a vacation to Monterey, Calif.
THE VENUE Since most of Julia and Connor’s families are from Utah, they wanted to choose a wedding venue location where everyone could stay together and enjoy the mountains. Once they toured the newly renovated Snowpine Lodge, it became the obvious choice. Following the rehearsal, Julia’s bridesmaids threw her a bachelorette party in the hotel’s Snowpine Suite; and on the morning of the wedding, the women practiced yoga and relaxed by the pool and inside the hotel’s Stillwater Spa.
THE WEDDING With 120 guests present, Julia and Connor exchanged their personally written vows on the Snowpine’s lawn under an arch flocked with pastel-hued roses, greenery and billowy white cloth. “I wanted our wedding to be very romantic and with neutral colors,” Julia says. “The Snowpine is so beautiful that I did not want to take away from what it had to offer, so we went with simple elegance.” Brandon Taylor officiated the ceremony, which included tying of three cords—one each to represent Julia and Connor and a third to represent God. The couple was attended by six bridesmaids, four groomsmen, two flower girls and one ring bearer. Following the ceremony, guests were served passed appetizers and drinks on the hotel’s lawn to the music of a string quartet. A seated dinner was served in the Snowpine Ballroom; the menu included a spinach radicchio salad and choice of braised short ribs, marsala stuffed chicken, pan-fried sustainable salmon or roasted cauliflower steak. The dessert course included a stone fruit crisp, Cold Stone Creamery ice cream and lemon wedding cake with raspberry filling. The couple’s first dance was to “More of You” by Magic. A DJ led the ensuing dance party. The bride, groom and several guests jumped into the pool at the end of the night just before the couple’s exit in a vintage Aston Martin.
SIGNATURE DETAIL The couple served Cold Stone Creamery ice cream because it not only helped bring them together, but “it was also served in loving memory of my aunt and uncle, who owned the Draper Cold Stone Creamery location and passed away a few years ago,” Julia says. “They had always promised that they would serve Cold Stone at my wedding and I made sure to keep that promise.”
THE HONEYMOON Julia and Connor went to Turks and Caicos, where they rode horses on the beach, snorkeled along the second largest barrier reef in the world, took a sunset sailing cruise and, most importantly, “relaxed and celebrated the start of our lives together.”
Christina and TK met through mutual friends in high school at the end of their junior year. What started as a simple conversation grew into more and even though they went to different high schools they were inseparable. Whether going to school dances, sporting events, lunch dates, or doing homework together, many great memories were made! But, of all these events the most substantial was Christina and TK applying and being accepted to the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Through the years, TK and Christina went on to pursue a Ph.D. in biochemistry and a career in the craft brewing industry, respectively which led them to living in different states. “But eventually enough was enough, and long distance needed to end!” says Christina. So in May of 2020, through a lot of help, friends support, mentorship from parents the pair were able to bring our lives back to Salt Lake City, Utah. “Utah is our home and a place that we find so special, full of love, and honest people who love the outdoors, each other, and the world around them.”
A SOUTHERN UTAH PROPOSAL
When Christina’s best friends Stasha and Ben suggested a tour of Utah’s National Parks, she immediately began planning an adventure of a lifetime—little did she know it would also be the beginning of a brand new chapter for both her and TK. Secretly, TK had told both Stasha and Ben that he wanted to propose at The Temple of the Sun and Moon, a very special place in TK and Christina’s hearts. After a day of exploring Cathedral Valley, the group made their way to The Temple of Sun and Moon where TK led Christina to a scenic spot on the ridgeline.
Lowering to one knee, TK said to Christina: “As the temple of sun and moon have stood by each other’s side for eternity will you stand by mine?” After she accepted, the group went on to celebrate a lifelong commitment of adventure together. The happy moment wasn’t even soiled when TK accidentally slipped on a loose rock back at the campsite. “He gained not only a fiance but the scars to prove it,” Christina says with a laugh.
MOAB MATRIMONY
Christina and TK tied the knot on April 15th of, 2022 at Moab’s rustic event space The Red Earth Venue. “The Red Earth Venue in does a perfect job capturing the open nature of the desert surrounded by red rock and cliffs, with a beautiful vista of both Arches National Park and the La Sal Mountains,” says Christina. “These attributes perfectly capture why we love spending so much of our time in the red dirt.”
OUTDOOR CHIC
“We wanted our wedding to feel like a desert party!” Christina says. To accomplish their vision of “outdoor chic” they dressed the venue with simple table designs, lots of hanging lights, coolers with beer, and an open dance floor. Both the ceremony and reception were held outside. “TK and I wanted to feel glam while our guests could understand why we spend so much time camping and embracing the desert.”
THE DETAILS
To embrace the warm hues of the surrounding desert, the bridesmaids wore revelry velvet dresses in red earthy tones, Dusty Rose, Terracotta, and Romantic Rose. The men wore Indochino teal suits and were complemented by matching Revelry velvet ties to the bridesmaids dresses. Christina’s bouquet had green succulents complimented by dusty orange and pink flowers.
After the ceremony, the wedding group enjoyed margaritas, tacos and dancing on the venue’s outdoor wooden dance floor. Christina and TK’s wedding cake was made by Baked by Rachel in Moab. “Rachel did an amazing job with our cakes, giving us a simple texture in the buttercream and decorated them with succulents! We had one large vanilla cake with fresh raspberry filling and raspberry buttercream. Then we had a small vegan lemon cake with fresh strawberry filling and vanilla vegan buttercream.”
It’s no secretthat weddings are not environmentally friendly. From the thousands of airline miles required to gather far-flung friends and family to single-use wedding attire to exotic floral décor and imported food and drink, the carbon footprint for even a modest event can be significant. But we submit that celebrating love is perhaps more important now than ever. As such, we’ve gathered three ideas for planning a carbon-conscious green wedding that doesn’t sacrifice style.
AVOID BALLOON INSTALLATIONS, FLOATING LANTERNS AND SPARKLERS
While balloon installations are having a moment, balloons take up to two years to degrade in a landfill and are dangerous to children and animals alike. A similar sentiment goes for fireworks, floating lanterns and sparklers, especially considering how high the fire danger is in Utah during the summer and fall. Instead, you can create festivity for your guests with a laser light show or biodegradable confetti to toss during your final exit from the reception.
Many exotic flowers travel thousands of miles from around the world before landing in a wedding centerpiece. Intermountain Plant Works offers sustainable and architecturally stunning potted trees, topiaries and succulents for event rental, along with design services. Another option is choosing a florist that, when possible, sources its blooms locally, like Native Flower Company, which also composts 100% of its post-event green waste.
Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock
REGISTER FOR CASH OR A PHILANTHROPY
Many couples are delaying saying “I do” until well after they’ve set up a household together, negating the practicality of registering for items like linens, kitchen appliances and dishes. Cash registries like blueprint.com allow guests to give couples funds toward a home, the honeymoon or the actual wedding. Other couples go the completely altruistic route by creating a registry through thegoodbeginning.com, allowing guests to donate to a cause or nonprofit in the couple’s name.
